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Home > Resources and Activities > Free and Inexpensive Things to Do

  FREE OR INEXPENSIVE ACTIVITIES OR DESTINATIONS

Parks | VB City Parks | Fun Places to Visit | Historic Homes | Museums

Parks

  • Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge: 4005 Sandpiper Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23456. A 7700-acre beach, woodland and marsh refuge for a wide variety of migratory birds, endangered species and other wildlife, including snow geese, marsh hawks, red foxes, loggerhead turtles and American Bald Eagles. If you’re lucky you may even see wild horses. Bike, hike or take the tram. There is no admission charge from November 1 through March 31. When the fee season resumes on April 1, admission is $5 per day, per each vehicle (private, non-commercial vehicle). Call (757) 721-2412 or visit http://www.fws.gov/backbay/ for more information.

  • False Cape State Park: 4001 Sandpiper Road Virginia Beach, VA 23456. A pristine, ocean-to-freshwater bay habitat. See white-tailed deer, wild boar, and horses on six miles of unspoiled beaches and miles of biking, hiking and interpretive trails. Admission is $2 per person. Call (757) 426-7128 or visit www.dcr.state.va.us/parks for more information.

  • First Landing Cross: 583 Atlantic Ave., Fort Story, Virginia 23451. This is where the nation's first English settlers landed in the New World on April 16, 1607. Admission is FREE.

  • First Landing State Park: 2500 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451. The park offers opportunities to explore a unique habitat featuring lagoons, large cypress trees and rare plants. More than 19 miles of hiking trails wind through the natural area, guided kayak ecological tours allow exploration of the marshes and bays, and the visitor center exhibits explain much about this coastal environment. Climate-controlled cabins, campsites, picnic areas, a swimming beach, boat ramps, kayak rentals and tours, and a bicycle trail are offered in the park. Admission to the park is $4 per vehicle on weekdays and $5 on weekends. The grounds and trails are open daily, from 8 a.m. until dusk. Call (757) 412-2300 or visit http://www.first-landing-state-park.org/ for more information on rates for camping, cabin rentals, and tours.

    Virginia Beach City Parks
    Fly a kite, take the kids to a playground or relax with a picnic lunch at one of our city parks. Visit any city park for free.  Below is a brief description of some of the larger city parks.  For a complete list, visit www.VBgov.com/parks.

    • City View Park: 2073 Kempsville Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23462. This 43-acre park is an ideal setting for family and athletic outings. Check out the walking trail through the woods.  Amenities include:  ball fields, a multi-purpose field, basketball courts, volleyball court, walking trail, horseshoe pits, playground equipment, picnic shelters, vending machines, and more. Call (757) 479-0106 for more information.

    • Mount Trashmore Park: 300 Edwin Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23462. Once a landfill, over 60 feet high, 800 feet long and 165 acres. Home to Kids Cove playground, skate ramps, and many special events. Fitness trail, water wise gardens and many more recreational amenities. Call (757) 473-5237 or (757) 497-2157 for more information.

    • Munden Point Park: 2001 Pefley Lane, Virginia Beach, VA 23457. 100-acre district park located on the North Landing River, a major leg of the Intercoastal Waterway. The park is open from 6:30 am until sunset. Facilities include five large shelters, mini-shelters, a boat ramp, a disc golf course, three ball fields, three basketball courts, a fitness trail, three playgrounds, six horseshoe pits, boat rentals, volleyball stations, vending machines, and restrooms. Call (757) 426-5296 for more information.

    • Princess Anne Park: 3475 Princess Anne Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23454. Amenities include three shelters, family picnic sites and grills, playgrounds, volleyball courts and horseshoe pits. Also features one lighted baseball/softball field and an unlighted multipurpose field, which are used for soccer, football, and softball, depending upon the season. Call (757) 385-4461 for more information.

    • Red Wing Park: 1398 General Booth Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA 23454. Amenities include ball fields, basketball courts, gardens, horseshoe pits, picnic shelters, playfield, playground equipment, rest rooms, tennis courts & volleyball courts. Call (757) 437-4847 for more information.

    Fun Places to Visit

    • Beach Street USA: Along the sidewalks of Atlantic Avenue, between 17th and 25th Streets, enjoy theme performances June through August. There are over 100 days of entertainment at the oceanfront, along with special events and festivals throughout the city year-around. Many of the performances are free. Call (757) 425-3111 or (800) 822-3224 or visit http://www.beacheventsfun.com/ for more information.

    • Boardwalk: Jog, rollerblade or take a leisurely stroll along the boardwalk. Or, take your bikes and cruise the bike path. Bike rentals are available at the following streets (39th, 35th, 24th, 22nd, 20th, 19th, 13th, 10th, 8th, and 2nd). Free entertainment is often available at the 24th, 17th and 7th Street stages. Don’t forget to take your picture in front of the King Neptune Statue!

    • Cape Henry Lighthouse: 583 Atlantic Ave., Fort Story, Virginia 23451. As the official symbol of the City of Virginia Beach, Virginia, the Cape Henry Lighthouse receives about 60,000 visitors a year. The tower was completed in October, 1792, and it was lighted in that same month. At the top of the stairway inside is a small ladder that goes through a very small opening to the lantern room. From the lantern room you can see the new lighthouse. The New Cape Henry Lighthouses was built in 1881 only 350 feet from the old tower. This lighthouse stands 165ft and had a First-Order lens installed, these lighthouses have mark the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay since 1791. Admission is $3 per adult and $2 per child between the ages of 3 to 12. Children under 3 are FREE. Call (757) 422-9421 or visit http://www.apva.org/capehenry/ for more information.

    • First Landing Cross: 583 Atlantic Ave., Fort Story, Virginia 23451. This is where the nation's first English settlers landed in the New World on April 16, 1607. Admission is FREE.

    • Libraries: The Virginia Beach Public Library System provides free access to accurate and current information and materials to all individuals, and promotes reading as a critical life skill. Each library offers story times for children under 6-years-old, as well as other services for families. For more information, visit http://www.vbgov.com/libraries/.

    • Lynnhaven Fishing Pier: 2350 Starfish Road off Shore Drive on the Chesapeake Bay. Admission is $8 per person. Call (757) 481-7071 for more information.

    • Movie Theaters: During the summertime both AMC and Regal Cinemas offer free kids’ movies. Times vary by location.

    • Pick Strawberries or Blueberries: An inexpensive family outing is picking strawberries or blueberries in Pungo.

    • Oceana Naval Air Station: See the Navy's most sophisticated aircraft in action at Oceana, home to F-14 Tomcat fighter planes and F/A-18 Hornets. Tours are seasonal.  There are also Jet Observation Parks located on Oceana Boulevard and Drakesmile Road. Park your vehicle there and watch the jets as the take off and land!  Call (757) 433-3131 or visit http://www.nasoceana.navy.mil for more information.

    • Virginia Beach Farmers Market: 3640 Dam Neck Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23450.  The Virginia Beach Farmers Market features a variety of merchants that are agriculturally inspired shops and related businesses offering seasonal, fresh vegetables and fruit in addition to many other products. Farmer-to-you seasonal produce allow you to experience some of the best the agriculture community has to offer. This can be an inexpensive family outing. Most merchants are open from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday – Saturday, and Noon - 4:00 p.m. Sunday. Educational programs for students are available and can be scheduled by calling the Market office. The programs are held from April through October, weather permitting. Each program features hands-on experiences that explore our agriculture and rural heritage. The programs are recommended for children in K-2 grades. There is a fee of $3.00 per child for educational programs.  Call (757) 385-4395 or visit http://www.vbgov.com/farmersmarket for more information.

    • Virginia Beach Recreation Centers: There are six community recreation centers, each with an indoor swimming pool, indoor gymnasium, and ample room for various programs. The Recreation Centers offer classes for preschoolers to seniors. We offer many types of classes, everything from swimming lessons to art and crafts to dancing, cooking and more! A valid membership or visitor pass is required to participate in programs, classes and events. Please call (757) 385-0400 or fun@VBgov.com for more information.

    Historic Homes in Virginia Beach

    • Adam Thoroughgood House: 1636 Parish Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23455. The Adam Thoroughgood House was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1960 and is one of the oldest surviving colonial homes in Virginia. The House is open six days per week for guided tours. Admission Fees: Adults - $4.00; Seniors (60+) - $3.00; Students (6+) - $2.00. For more information, call(757) 460-7588.

    • Lynnhaven House: 4405 Wishart Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23455.  Open for public tours Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday’s noon to 4 p.m.  Fees: Adults - $4.00; Seniors - $3.00; Students (6+) - $2.00. For more information, call (757) 431-4000 or visit http://virginiabeachhistory.org/lynnhouse.html

    • Francis Land House: 3131 Virginia Beach Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23452. The Francis Land House is a two hundred year old plantation home, built circa 1805 - 1810, that is open to the public six days per week for guided tours. The Land House was purchased by the City of Virginia Beach in 1975 and has been operated as a historic house museum since 1986. Fees:$4/adult, $3/senior, $2/student, 6 and over. For more information, call (757)385-5100 or visit http://virginiabeachhistory.org/land.html.

    • Upper Wolfsnare: 2040 Potters Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23451. The Georgian Style 1759 white brick house know as is the Home of the Historical Society! It is open to the public for tours on Wednesdays during July and August. Fees: $5.00 for Adults, $4.00 Seniors, and $3.00 for students through high school. Visit http://virginiabeachhistory.org/places.html#Upper Wolfsnare.

      • Museums in Virginia Beach

      • Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum: 1113 Atlantic Avenue, Virginia Beach, VA 23451. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., and Sunday, Noon until 5 p.m. Admission is free. Call (757) 437-8432 for more information.

      • Military Aviation Museum: 1341 Princess Anne Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23456.  The Military Aviation Museum, located at the Virginia Beach Airport, is home to one of the largest private collections of World War 2 and Korean War era fighters, bombers, trainers and seaplanes. Many aircraft have been fully restored to their World War II condition. The museum is open from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM, 7days a week.  Admission is: $17 for adults, $12 for school-aged children and free for preschool aged children (less than 3 years old).  Call (757) 721-7767 for more information.

      • Old Coast Guard Station: 24th Street & Boardwalk at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront.  Built in 1903, this museum vividly depicts its own life saving and Coast Guard History, as well as the many shipwrecks off the Virginia coast. Hours are Monday through Saturday 10 AM to 5 PM, Sunday 12 PM to 5 PM. Admission is only $3.00 and military and senior citizen discounts are available. Call (757) 422-1587 or visit http://www.oldcoastguardstation.com for more information.

      • Virginia Aquarium Marine Science Center: 717 General Booth Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23454.  Explore the mysteries of the deep (and the shallow) at one of the top marine science museums in the country. It features a huge open-ocean aquarium, live sharks, over 100 hands-on exhibits, a giant sea turtle aquarium, a loggerhead turtle hatchling lab, plus the amazing six-story-high IMAX 3D Theater.  Admission: $21.00 for adults, $20.00 for seniors, and $15.00 for children (3 – 11). There is no admission charge for members. Call (757) 385-FISH (3474) or visit http://www.virginiaaquarium.com for more information. Learn more...

      • The Virginia Beach City Public Schools Planetarium: The Planetarium has served as the community's source for astronomical enrichment since 1969. The Planetarium provides FREE presentations every Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m. for the general public. The programs change monthly and can be viewed on our website under "Public Programs." Reservations are suggested. Please check the website, email or call for summer schedule. Office hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Call (757) 431-4067 or visit www.planetarium.vbschools.com for more information.

      • Virginia Dinosaur Museum: 25th & Atlantic Avenue, Virginia Beach, VA 23451.  Amphitheater features five automated dinosaurs and a 40-minute movie about dinosaurs.  Fee: $6 per person, children 4 and under are FREE.  Call (757) 422-1742 for more information.
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